Few cars available today offer as much variety as the Porsche 911. There are three body types, six engines, three transmissions and two drive systems. Despite the 911's reputation as a sports car, the modern 911 starts out as a comfortable cruiser and, if you have the cash, can be turned into a racetrack dominator by ticking a few boxes.
Despite Porsche's new financial reliance on SUV and crossover models, the 911 remains the brand's flagship model. As a result, there is no longer such a thing as a 911 without a six-figure price tag, and that bottom line swells to well over $330,000 for the extreme GT2 RS model.
With a new 911 coming for the 2020 model year, this Porschiest of Porsches carries over unchanged for 2019.
Entry-level (if such a term can be applied here) 911 Carrera, Targa and Cabriolet models use a 3.0L turbocharged flat-six engine that makes 370 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque.
Carrera S, Targa S and Cabriolet S variants use a similar engine, but tuned for 420 hp and 368 lb-ft.
Targa models come standard with AWD, while Carrera and Cabriolet models (base and S) can be optioned with it.
Carrera, Targa and Cabrio models also come as the GTS, with a 3.0L engine further tweaked for 450 hp and 405 lb-ft.
Next up is the 911 Turbo, whose 3.8L engine makes 540 hp and 486 lb-ft, while the Turbo S adds 40 hp and 30 lb-ft.
Track-ready models begin with the GT3, which boasts 500 hp and 339 lb-ft, and the GT3 RS with 520 hp and 346 lb-ft.
The ne plus ultra 911 is the GT2 RS, whose 3.8L motor makes 700 hp and 553 lb-ft. To go with its massive power, the GT2 RS goes basic to save weight with features like fabric straps for door handles.
While well-equipped, like most German cars the Porsche 911 comes standard with less equipment than you'd expect for the price. Porsche offers a long list of optional equipment along with ways to personalize your 911 to make it stand out. Some of the more common options include LED headlights, the performance-enhancing sport chrono package, sport seats and exhaust systems, ventilated seats and pricey carbon ceramic brakes.
Carrera models are surprisingly fuel efficient, with Porsche estimating consumption at 10.6/8.0 L/100 km (city/highway) with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) and 11.8/8.1 with the seven-speed manual. Carrera 4, Carrera S and Cabriolet variants are all nominally less efficient.
Estimates for GTS models range from 11.5/9.1 L/100 km (rear-drive coupe) to 11.9/9.3 for an AWD cabriolet.
Then there are the GT2 and GT3 models. Porsche estimates GT2 RS fuel consumption at 15.3/11.2 L/100 km (city/highway). GT3 is ranked 15.8/11.7, and GT3 RS ratings are 16.1/12.2. Finally, the GT3's estimates are 18.0/11.5 L/100 km.
